By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
iOS 18.5 is the latest software update for iPhone users, bringing a host of new features and enhancements. While the official release date is yet to be announced, the update is expected to roll out in May 2025. Currently, Apple is testing iOS 18.5 through public and developer betas, allowing users to experience and provide feedback on the new features.
Key Features of iOS 18.5
1. Enhanced Siri Capabilities
iOS 18.5 introduces significant improvements to Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant. The update enhances Siri’s on-screen awareness, enabling it to recognize and respond to content displayed on your iPhone. Additionally, Siri’s understanding of personal context has been improved, allowing for more accurate and relevant responses. These enhancements aim to make interactions with Siri more intuitive and efficient.
2. Distraction Control in Safari
A new feature called Distraction Control has been added to Safari. This allows users to hide distracting elements on webpages, such as sign-in prompts, cookie banners, and autoplay videos, creating a cleaner and more focused browsing experience.
3. Improved App Interactions
Siri’s integration with third-party apps has been enhanced, enabling users to perform actions within apps, edit photos, and manage files using voice commands. This improvement aims to streamline workflows and increase productivity by allowing hands-free control over various tasks.
4. ChatGPT Integration
In collaboration with OpenAI, Apple is integrating ChatGPT into Siri. This integration allows Siri to hand off complex tasks, such as generating content or answering detailed questions, to ChatGPT, expanding the capabilities of the virtual assistant.
Compatibility
iOS 18.5 is compatible with a range of iPhone models. However, certain advanced features, particularly those related to Apple Intelligence, require more recent hardware. For instance, Siri’s enhanced capabilities and ChatGPT integration are supported on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the upcoming iPhone 16 series. Older models may receive the update but without access to these advanced features.
How to Install iOS 18.5
To install iOS 18.5, ensure your iPhone is compatible with the update. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to check for available updates. If you’re interested in testing beta features, you can enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program to download and install the public beta version. Keep in mind that beta versions may contain bugs and are intended for testing purposes.
Conclusion
iOS 18.5 brings notable enhancements to Siri, Safari, and app interactions, aiming to provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience. While the update is expected to be available to the public in May 2025, users can participate in the beta testing phase to explore the new features ahead of the official release. As always, it’s recommended to back up your device before installing any software updates to prevent potential data loss.